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Change in open lands tax distribution advances

Larimer County would receive larger share under proposal favored by advisory group

By Saja Hindi

Reporter-Herald Staff Writer

Posted:
07/17/2014 10:30:31 PM MDT

Loveland resident Cody Sewell lands a fish while fly-fishing Thursday along the bank of a pond at the recently opened River's Edge Natural Area. River's Edge was the largest recipient of the city's share of open lands spending in 2013. (Steve Stoner / Loveland Reporter-Herald)

The Larimer County Open Lands Advisory Board favors a new allocation for the county's open lands sales tax and presented that recommendation Thursday to the Larimer Board of County Commissioners. It decreases the share cities such as Loveland would receive.

Commissioners will decide July 29 whether to place that recommendation on the November ballot.

Through a citizen-led initiative, the "Help Preserve Open Lands Sales Tax" was approved by voters in November 1995, and in 1999, citizens voted to extend the tax until 2018 and establish bonding authority for Larimer County. The quarter-cent sales tax goes toward land acquisition, management and maintenance of open space, natural areas, wildlife habitats, regional parks and trails. Officials were able to preserve 43,000 acres through the Open Lands Program in Larimer County as a result of having the tax money to spend.

Currently, the cities in Larimer split 58 percent of the sales tax revenue, and the county receives 42 percent. However, an open lands sales tax committee has been working nearly a year on a few different options for future allocations, according to Program Manager Kerri Rollins, and of the three scenarios the committee came up with, the advisory board recommended — on a 7-1 vote — one that would increase the county's share to 50 percent and the lower the cities' share. It also extends the tax for 20 years.

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"All recent surveys taken of our Larimer County residents tell of astronomical support and satisfaction for what this tax has accomplished over the past 18 years," she said at Thursday's meeting. When the tax first started, the division of revenue made sense, she said. But as Larimer County has grown its program, acquired more spaces to manage and developed partnerships with the cities, she said it was time to make a change.

County Commissioner Tom Donnelly agreed.

"I think that what the language of the original tax envisioned was a brand new county department. It was just starting out and probably appropriate. The county didn't really have any open lands," he said.

K-Lynn Cameron, chairwoman of the citizens campaign for the tax, attended Thursday's meeting and said she was part of the initiatives in 1994 and 1998 — the second while employed by the county as its open lands director.

"We have been working together to piece together a proposal that really takes advantage that Larimer County has one of the top open lands programs in the state," she said. Like Donnelly, she thought the initial allocation for revenues worked for the time.

"The county was just setting up its program," she said. "Now, it's 18 years later, and the county has just excelled."

The only person who voted against the proposal at Wednesday's advisory board meeting was the representative from Loveland, City Councilman Hugh McKean.

McKean said the cut in funding to the city would have a negative impact, especially because he didn't think a dedicated open space sales tax could pass for Loveland such as the one Fort Collins has in place.

Other members also had concerns about the cuts to cities but ultimately voted in favor of the change because they said the county needs the money and because partnerships with the county could in turn benefit the cities.

"We have a good collaboration model ... second to none," Rollins said.

Rollins said surveys indicate residents want to see more open space, and the Open Lands Master Plan details those recommendations.

The ballot language puts restrictions on amount of the county's share that can be used toward acquisition and restoration as well as long-term management and development. The cities don't have to follow a specific formula for their funds.

The make-up of the Open Lands Advisory Board would change as well if voters approve the measure.

Representation would change to "at least nine citizens with geographic representation substantially in proportion to population and sales tax generation," according to the proposed language. The Board of County Commissioners will appoint members on the board, and Fort Collins, Loveland, Estes Park and Berthoud would have at least one seat on the board.

Although there has been some pushback about the change in revenue sharing, the county partners with cities on many projects, and so advisory board members said the new proposal would further benefit the cities.

"They're all very supportive of the collaborations and support we've had over the years," Rollins said.

Donnelly said he wants to reach a model that is reasonable for both revenue and board makeup.

"The last thing we want to do is fight with our municipal partners. We want to find something that satisfies them and satisfies our needs as well," Donnelly said.

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